Micro climate fear over Navitus wind farm plan

PLANNERS have voiced fears that Bournemouth’s micro climate could be affected by the proposed wind farm in Poole Bay.

Principal planning officer Steve Davies said climate change was among concerns along with potential noise, beach replenishment and traffic caused during the construction of the proposed wind farm.

In a report to the borough’s planning board, Mr Davies said: “It is important that these are investigated thoroughly even though they may appear of secondary importance. We also need to consider the implications of the environmental consequences on the local economy and tourism.”

Earlier Mr Davies recommended that the board highlighted their concerns about “the potential impact of the wind farm.”

He said: “The main issue is going to be the visual impact. Sea views are very important to the people of and visitors to Bournemouth. It is important to set out concerns.”

His recommendation won the board’s backing, although the council is not being formally consulted on Eneco’s wind park plans.

Cllr Mike Greene stressed the need for an independent report into the impact the proposed wind farm would have.

He added: “I have heard reports of wind farms where the effect has been like a helicopter – we could end up with no tourists.”

Cllr Lynda Price said: “I object to it very strongly. Are we prepared to take a chance with the climate? I feel more scientific studies are needed to assess how much we could lose from tourism and climate change.”

Cllr Johann Edward said: “I am particularly surprised to hear it could change the whole micro climate of Bournemouth.” He stressed the need for a three-dimensional visualisation of the proposed wind farm to assess its impact.”

Board chairman Cllr David Kelsey said: “Sustainability is an issue.

“The last thing anybody wants to see is the turbines not working after 10 years and we end up with rotten, decaying masts.”

See Challenge Navitus' video animations of what the wind farm might look like

Comments(12)

whataboutthat says...
4:45pm Thu 19 Jul 12

They won't work when the subsidies run out (cue loads of blather about our children's future etc). Thought Bournemouth Council - maybe Dorset - must have a full environmental impact assessment on this sort of construction anyway? Marine and wildlife in and above the ocean - stuff it full of concrete piles and rusting steel, chop up the kittiwakes...an on and on...

jobsworthwatch says...
5:23pm Thu 19 Jul 12

Hang on, are our nano IQ jobsworths telling us that the wind farm 'will' cause climate change?
If this an accurate account of the 'boards' proceedings its clear that they haven't a clue what they are talking about and are completely out of their depth. No doubt not one of them has an engineering or scientific background and they are presiding over whether or not we get an off shore wind farm!

whataboutthat says...
5:32pm Thu 19 Jul 12

jobsworthwatch - the answer's in the little stinger:
'although the council is not being formally consulted'
that's right, these things are imposed, no matter how clueless council officers are...reduced to bleating.

penhale says...
5:38pm Thu 19 Jul 12

Hang on a minute, wind farms have come about in an attempt to combat climate change, something I don't believe in by the way, and now these people are saying that the wind farm will cause climate change, well which is it, make up your minds for goodness sake.
As far as the micro climate goes for Bournemouth, has anyone noticed the weather over the last couple of years, what micro climate are we worried about losing here.
My thoughts are that there is no climate change, it's all balderdash banded about by some tree hugging hippies and also used by successive governments to increase taxes to combat something that is not there.

jobsworthwatch says...
5:45pm Thu 19 Jul 12

whataboutthat wrote:
jobsworthwatch - the answer's in the little stinger: 'although the council is not being formally consulted' that's right, these things are imposed, no matter how clueless council officers are...reduced to bleating.
OK, so they're being informally consulted, just as worrying I think!

pete woodley says...
6:13pm Thu 19 Jul 12

Will the wind turbines,make enough noise to affect the quiet area of West Howe.

pete woodley says...
6:15pm Thu 19 Jul 12

Will the wind turbines,make enough noise to affect the quiet area of West Howe.

Yankee1 says...
12:10am Fri 20 Jul 12

Honestly. This is a joke to make money from huge EU subsidies and will produce little of value to the UK, and none to Dorset. In a word, your gullibility is being mined for profit.

The future (50 years) for the UK is natural gas and nuclear. Until 'they' produce an alternative that works. If you want to mine an environmentally sound resource, build first a tidal barrage across the Severn. This has been discussed for nigh on 40 years, and will produces ceaseless energy, unlike windmills tethered in the sea, which will work when the wind blows.

Glashen says...
12:34am Fri 20 Jul 12

If you want to know what a wind farm can do to the micro climate have a look at this picture:
-
http://i147.photobuc
ket.com/albums/r301/
whiston/offshore_hdt
_019op.jpg

a.g.o.g. says...
9:13am Fri 20 Jul 12

Glashen wrote:
If you want to know what a wind farm can do to the micro climate have a look at this picture: - http://i147.photobuc ket.com/albums/r301/ whiston/offshore_hdt _019op.jpg
it`s been nobbled!

bea says...
9:57am Fri 20 Jul 12

Read this article from the Sunday Times

http://www.thesunday
times.co.uk/sto/news
/uk_news/Environment
/article867914.ece

derek_acorah says...
12:12pm Fri 20 Jul 12

Glashen wrote:
If you want to know what a wind farm can do to the micro climate have a look at this picture:
-
http://i147.photobuc

ket.com/albums/r301/

whiston/offshore_hdt

_019op.jpg
Really cool pic. People would come from far and wide to see that, perhaps it needs to be moved closer to the shore to enable a better view. Perhaps the turbines could be modified to spray some red and blue dye into the clouds. Would look like the Red arrows.

click2find

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